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Describing a Family Subsystem Genogram

Any genogram is a certain graphic representation of a multi-generational family constellation (involves at least 3 past generations) and its basic purpose is to record important data about the members of this family and relevant relationships. In general, its structure as being a tree provides people with a fast gestalt of multiple family relationships. It’s also a great source of hypotheses and tips of how specific clinical issues can be related to family context and their evolution over time.

Often, family subsystem genograms are constructed during the 1stsession and then they are reviewed as more and more information is received. They usually help doctors and family members get a bigger picture both from present and historical views by providing the necessary information about family members that can be interpreted both horizontally and vertically through many generations.

A family subsystem genogram is a certain format for drawing family trees that contain important data about relatives and their relationships over a few past generations. They show people familiar information in a helpful way that offers a fast overview of complex family patterns while being a perfect source of suggestions on how clinical and other similar problems are connected with such family contexts and their possible evolution. Besides, all family members involved must be represented as a circle or square based on their gender.

There are some rules that should be followed when drawing genograms and family trees. For example, the key individual around whom the entire genogram is constructed must be identified by double lines. When dealing with dead family members, it’s necessary to place X inside their circles and indicate the age of their death. In outstretched genograms that reach over 3 generations, symbols in the past don’t include a cross because they all are presumed to be dead.

Those symbols that represent family members who are connected by lines mean their legal and biological relationships. For instance, two individuals who are married should be connected by the line that crosses and descends. All unmarried couples should be identified as married women with line segments, and exact dates are important. Multiple marriages add more complexity to this process because they all require additional symbols and lines.

Any genogram is a certain graphic representation of a multi-generational family constellation (involves at least 3 past generations) and its basic purpose is to record important data about the members of this family and relevant relationships. In general, its structure as being a tree provides people with a fast gestalt of multiple family relationships.